Defending champion Florida State set to open fall camp

Published: Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 01:03 PM.

TALLAHASSEE — The first uttering of “last year was last year” is expected from the Florida State Seminoles on Monday.

The defending national champions open fall practice with an eye on completing the “Dallas to Dallas” battle cry. The 2014 season opens there in a nonconference game against Oklahoma State on Aug. 30 and potentially could close there with a title game appearance in the first College Football Playoff.

That’s putting the cart well in front of Renegade, however. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher continues with his daily emphasis on improving through camp and preparing for each opponent as they come. During the spring, Fisher stressed the importance of looking at this season as a new start despite what happened six months ago.

Keeping a steady focus and dealing with distractions carried FSU to a 14-0 finish and a win over Auburn in the final BCS Championship Game in California.

A lack of major injuries in 2013 also aided in the run at a third national title. A few reserves were lost before the season, notably tight end Kevin Haplea, and a few were hurt during the season such as Tyler Hunter. However, the majority of the starters played full season and depth helped mask any deficiencies.

Hunter and Haplea are back with both expected to have increased roles. Haplea, who suffered a knee injury last year, could be aligned in double tight end sets with starter Nick O’Leary, who is the school’s career touchdown leader at the position with 11. Hunter will see ample time in nickel packages in FSU’s hybrid defense.

TALLAHASSEE — The first uttering of “last year was last year” is expected from the Florida State Seminoles on Monday.

The defending national champions open fall practice with an eye on completing the “Dallas to Dallas” battle cry. The 2014 season opens there in a nonconference game against Oklahoma State on Aug. 30 and potentially could close there with a title game appearance in the first College Football Playoff.

That’s putting the cart well in front of Renegade, however. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher continues with his daily emphasis on improving through camp and preparing for each opponent as they come. During the spring, Fisher stressed the importance of looking at this season as a new start despite what happened six months ago.

Keeping a steady focus and dealing with distractions carried FSU to a 14-0 finish and a win over Auburn in the final BCS Championship Game in California.

A lack of major injuries in 2013 also aided in the run at a third national title. A few reserves were lost before the season, notably tight end Kevin Haplea, and a few were hurt during the season such as Tyler Hunter. However, the majority of the starters played full season and depth helped mask any deficiencies.

Hunter and Haplea are back with both expected to have increased roles. Haplea, who suffered a knee injury last year, could be aligned in double tight end sets with starter Nick O’Leary, who is the school’s career touchdown leader at the position with 11. Hunter will see ample time in nickel packages in FSU’s hybrid defense.

Hunter and Haplea will be among a large group of players fighting for playing time. The hope is Hunter returns to form after a neck injury in what is the deepest position entering fall camp. Some experts have said FSU has the best secondary in the country.

The focus for position battles will be along the defensive line and at linebacker. Those positions lost three of FSU’s five starters on defense from a year ago, including lineman Timmy Jernigan and leading tackler Telvin Smith.

Jernigan leaves a hole as he attracted constant double teams and freed up room for other linemen and linebackers to harass opposing quarterbacks. Eddie Goldman returns after making 13 starts and could provide a gap stopper at 6-foot-4, 320 pounds. Nile Lawrence-Stample, who made six starts as a sophomore, Keith Bryant, Derrick Mitchell and Giorgio Newberry are in the mix to replace Jernigan.

Smith had 90 tackles and fellow departed starter Christian Jones made 56 stops along with two sacks as a linebacker/end. Linebacker has traditionally been a position where players shine given time, but it isn’t known for overall depth. Depth isn’t a concern in 2014.

Terrance Smith made 10 starts and appeared in 14 games at linebacker and is entrenched at one starting spot. Reggie Northrup and E.J. Levenberry, both of whom were close in tackles last season with more than 35 apiece, will battle for another of the spots. Ukeme Eligwe and Matthew Thomas are among the names also competing for a place in the starting lineup.

FSU will be in the five-day acclimation period with practices in shorts and helmets through Friday. The first two-a-day session is on Saturday and the annual Media Day and Fan Day will be held on Aug. 10. The Seminoles’ home opener is Sept. 6 against The Citadel.

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